Jingle all the way

Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 10:05pm

Arrive early for a fine viewing spot for Friday night’s Nashville Christmas Parade.

This marks the parade’s 58th year, and our city’s own Santa has ho-ho-ho-ed each December. Despite now being older than 100, St. Nick should sprightly guide his reindeer, joining brightly decorated floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands and thousands of onlookers via a new downtown route.

Mayor Karl Dean (a reserved gent not to be confused with one of Mr. Claus’ elfin helpers), grand marshal Gerry House (he of radio fame) and Thomas Skains (CEO of long-time parade host Piedmont Natural Gas) will commence the festivities at 6:30 with the lighting of the Nashville Christmas Tree at Public Square.

The parade starts at 7 p.m., with the new route taking the procession south on Second Avenue and then west on Broadway, culminating at Hume-Fogg Academic High School between Seventh and Eighth avenues. (See map here.)

Proceeds, which are derived from float entrees, will benefit Piedmont’s Share the Warmth program, which assists low-income families with their energy bills. Since 2003, Piedmont has donated more than $1.3 million to Share the Warmth.

About 75,000 attended the parade last December and Santa was quite pleased. Let’s make the bearded gift-giver happy again.